Publications - Abstracts
Adolescents' Health
"Improving the quality of patient care & health outcomes through research & education."
Adolescents' Health
The following paper was presented at the American Public Health Association Meeting in Washington, DC in November 2007.
Using Intervention Mapping to Develop a Parent-Focused Intervention to Reduce TV and Other Media Use Among Children 6 to 9 Years of Age
Soledad Liliana Esobar-Chaves, Dr.PH.1, Christine Markham, Ph.D.1, Nancy G. Murray, Dr.PH.1, Anthony Greisinger, Ph.D.2, Brenda Brehm, M.A.2, Lynn Trenta2, Ana M. Bedoya, M.D.1
1Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, 7000 Fannin, 26th Floor, Houston, TX 77030
2
Kelsey Research Foundation, 5615 Kirby Drive, Suite 660, Houston, TX 77005.
BACKGROUND: Media is a potential contributor to child obesity, not only because little energy is expended while viewing, but also through concurrent consumption of high-calorie snacks. Research has shown that reducing TV viewing among young children may help to prevent the development of obesity.
METHODS: Fun Families is a 3-year randomized controlled trial of a parent-focused, multi-component intervention to reduce TV viewing and other media consumption among children ages 6 to 9. Parents indicated that a parent-child workshop and newsletters were viable delivery mechanisms. Intervention Mapping (IM), a methodology combining theoretical and empirical evidence with community input (parents) was used to identify: (1) critical learning objectives for parents and children (2) methods and strategies for effective intervention; (3) critical implementation issues
RESULTS: Key intervention elements were identified by viewing existing literature and by conducting focus groups with parents of children ages 6 to 9. Intervention activities address knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, attitudes, outcomes expectations, and social support related to parent-child communication, and family routines related to media use. Five main behavioral objectives are: (1) reduce TV to <than 2 hours per day: (2) turn TV off when no-one is watching (3) no TV with meals: (4) no TV in the bedroom; and (5) engage in fun activities. Methods include modeling, skills-training, behavioral journalism, and edutainment.
CONCLUSIONS: IM provides an effective methodology for the development of innovative parent-focused interventions to reduce the potentially harmful effects of TV watching and other media use in early childhood.
